A busy period for Royal Navy golf teams has seen mixed results in recent fixtures.

CPO(MET) Carol McMurtry (RNAS Yeovilton) won the ladies championships, though two of her main rivals were absent from the competition. Playing just above her handicap, she took the title from CPO(AEA) Lee Poole (899 NAS).

Lt Debs Vouts (COMCEN Gibraltar) took the handicap prize with 35 points and CPO(WEA) Karla Fuzzard, another rapidly improving player won the high handicap prize.

McMurtry and Fuzzard combined for the Navy’s win in the following day’s match against the club which resulted in 2-1 win to the home side.

With one or two ‘guest’ players to boost numbers per side, the ladies enjoyed a creditable win against Cams Hall.

The highlights of the day were the performances of ladies secretary Lt Cdr Isabel Kent (DNR) and Lt Charlotte Bull (2SLCNH).

Kent teamed up with McMurtry for a convincing win while Bull, playing well under her handicap, led the way to a second win. With Poole and Fuzzard also winning the overall match score turned out to be a 3-1 win for the Navy.

Southwick Park is always a popular fixture for the ladies, and so it proved again this year with a 3–1 win.

Kent and Fuzzard started with a final-hole victory and a second win followed from POWTR Helen Wright (BRNC) and guest partner Moira Hoath. Bull and Kavanagh completed the Navy wins for a commendable result.

The ladies have one more match remaining before the Inter-Services, and Isabel Kent is feeling a good deal more confident in producing a side that will challenge seriously for the title. Much, as always depends on availability.

The men headed north to play Lothians county at Bruntsfield Links, just outside Edinburgh.

However, the county underestimated their match commitments and had to withdraw at short notice.

The Bruntsfield Secretary, David Sandford – an ex-RN golfer – stepped in and produced a combined side from Bruntsfield and neighbours Royal Burgess.

The RN never got going and, with the exception of one or two players, the performances were disappointing.

CPO(WEA) Steve King (CFM Portsmouth) was the pick, teaming up in the morning with LMEA Adam Hawkins (Sultan) for victory in the top foursomes match.

In the afternoon King was joined by RNGA Chairman Commodore Andy Dickson for a fourball win on the final green.

The only other score for the Navy came in the shape of a halved afternoon match from Cdr Ian Yuill (CINCFLEET) and WO Mark Whitehouse (45 Cdo RM). The final result was RN 2, B&B 5.

Ferndown provided the venue for the men’s annual encounter with Dorset, one of the Navy’s longest-standing matches.

Foursomes matches in the morning were close and with wins from Lt Cdr Darryl Whitehead (CINCSOUTH)/WO2 Andy Whale (Sultan) and B/Cpl Fred Lomas (Raleigh)/BSgt Joe Sharp (CTCRM), the Navy went to lunch just one point adrift.

Singles have not been the Navy’s strong point this year, and so it was to prove again. The county’s strength showed and they ran out winners by 9-5. Navy points in the afternoon came from wins by CPO Lee McCathie (Neptune), Yuill and Whitehead.

Four of the Navy team stayed on at Ferndown and competed in the prestigious Graham Butler trophy the same weekend.

The ‘A’ team of Hawkins and LMA Scott Gilbert (RDMC Blockhouse) played solidly throughout the weekend. But for one or two poor holes their scores of 75, 74 and 72 would have been better still.

The ‘B’ team of Whitehead and Lt Terry Taylor (RNAS Yeovilton) scored 85, 72 and 83, gave the team a grand total of 461 to come 11th out of 16 teams, hopefully ensuring invitation to next year’s event.